The Lions gave Reggie Bush 223 carries and Joique Bell 166 last season. All indications are there will be an even split in 2014 under new coordinator Joe Lombardi.
Detroit showed its commitment to Bell by giving him $4.3 million guaranteed this offseason. Under new coach Jim Caldwell, the Lions will line up in more traditional sets and fewer shotgun formations, a trend that also favors Bell.
Bell only averaged 3.9 yards per carry, but he excelled where it mattered most. On 14 rushes inside the opponents' 10-yard line, Bell scored seven touchdowns. That 50 percent rate led all running backs with at least 14 chances.
Reggie Bush, on other hand, cashed in twice in 10 chances.
Here are the 2013 leaders in rushing touchdowns on carries from inside the 10:
Marshawn Lynch: 10 TDs, 37 carries
Jamaal Charles: 10 TDs, 27 carries
Eddie Lacy: 10 TDs, 25 carries
DeMarco Murray: 9 TDs, 23 carries
Fred Jackson: 8 TDs, 30 carries
Le'Veon Bell: 8 TDs, 26 carries
Knowshon Moreno: 8 TDs, 21 carries
Rashard Mendenhall: 8 TDs, 19 carries
Matt Forte: 7 TDs, 26 carries
Joique Bell: 7 TDs, 14 carries
BenJarvus Green-Ellis: 7 TDs, 19 carries
Zac Stacy: 6 TDs, 21 carries
Adrian Peterson: 6 TDs, 20 carries
Stevan Ridley: 6 TDs, 14 carries
Like Bush, Bell is an outstanding receiver. Bell caught 105 passes the past two years.
Dave Richard ranks Bush 16th and Bell 23rd among running backs, while Jamey Eisenberg has them 15th and 25th respectively. If Bell gets an even split of the carries and continues to be leaned on near the goal line, he'll fulfull his RB2 potential.
